fire

• n. 火；火灾；炮火；炉火；热情；激情；磨难
• vt. 点燃；解雇；开除；使发光；烧制；激动；放枪
• vi. 着火；射击；开枪；激动；烧火

来自PIE*paewr, 火，词源同pyre,empyrean. 该词在印欧语用来指无生命之火，而PIE*egni则用来指有生命之火，词源同ignite.

1. the event of something burning (often destructive);

"they lost everything in the fire"

2. the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke;

"fire was one of our ancestors' first discoveries"

3. the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy;

"hold your fire until you can see the whites of their eyes"

"they retreated in the face of withering enemy fire"

4. a fireplace in which a fire is burning;

"they sat by the fire and talked"

5. intense adverse criticism;

"Clinton directed his fire at the Republican Party"

"the government has come under attack"

"don't give me any flak"

6. feelings of great warmth and intensity;

"he spoke with great ardor"

7. once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe (Empedocles)

8. a severe trial;

"he went through fire and damnation"

fire

fire: [OE] Appropriately enough for one of the mainsprings of human civilization, the word fire is widespread amongst Indo-European languages (although it is only one of two competing ‘fire’ strands, the other being represented in English by ignite). Among its relatives are Greek pur (whence English pyre, pyrotechnic, and, by a very circuitous route, bureau), Czech pýr ‘embers’, Armenian hūr, and Hittite pahhur, pointing back to a prehistoric Indo-European *pūr. Its Germanic descendant was *fūir, from which came German feuer, Dutch vuur, and English fire.
=> bureau, pyre, pyrotechnic

fire (n.)

Old English fyr "fire, a fire," from Proto-Germanic *fur-i- (cognates: Old Saxon fiur, Old Frisian fiur, Old Norse fürr, Middle Dutch and Dutch vuur, Old High German fiur, German Feuer "fire"), from PIE *perjos, from root *paəwr- "fire" (cognates: Armenian hur "fire, torch," Czech pyr "hot ashes," Greek pyr, Umbrian pir, Sanskrit pu, Hittite pahhur "fire"). Current spelling is attested as early as 1200, but did not fully displace Middle English fier (preserved in fiery) until c. 1600.

PIE apparently had two roots for fire: *paewr- and *egni- (source of Latin ignis). The former was "inanimate," referring to fire as a substance, and the latter was "animate," referring to it as a living force (compare water (n.1)).

Brend child fuir fordredeþ ["The Proverbs of Hendyng," c. 1250]

English fire was applied to "ardent, burning" passions or feelings from mid-14c. Meaning "discharge of firearms, action of guns, etc." is from 1580s. To be on fire is from c. 1500 (in fire attested from c. 1400, as is on a flame "on fire"). To play with fire in the figurative sense "risk disaster, meddle carelessly or ignorantly with a dangerous matter" is by 1861, from the common warning to children. Phrase where's the fire?, said to one in an obvious hurry, is by 1917, American English.

Fire-bell is from 1620s; fire-alarm as a self-acting, mechanical device is from 1808 as a theoretical creation; practical versions began to appear in the early 1830s. Fire-escape (n.) is from 1788 (the original so-called was a sort of rope-ladder disguised as a small settee); fire-extinguisher is from 1826. A fire-bucket (1580s) carries water to a fire. Fire-house is from 1899; fire-hall from 1867, fire-station from 1828. Fire company "men for managing a fire-engine" is from 1744, American English. Fire brigade "firefighters organized in a body in a particular place" is from 1838. Fire department, usually a branch of local government, is from 1805. Fire-chief is from 1877; fire-ranger from 1909.

Symbolic fire and the sword is by c. 1600 (translating Latin flamma ferroque absumi); earlier yron and fyre (1560s), with suerd & flawme (mid-15c.), mid fure & mid here ("with fire and armed force"), c. 1200. Fire-breathing is from 1590s. To set the river on fire, "accomplish something surprising or remarkable" (usually with a negative and said of one considered foolish or incompetent) is by 1830, often with the name of a river, varying according to locality, but the original is set the Thames on fire (1796). The hypothetical feat was mentioned as the type of something impossibly difficult by 1720; it circulated as a theoretical possibility under some current models of chemistry c. 1792-95, which may have contributed to the rise of the expression.

[A]mong other fanciful modes of demonstrating the practicability of conducting the gas wherever it might be required, he anchored a small boat in the stream about 50 yards from the shore, to which he conveyed a pipe, having the end turned up so as to rise above the water, and forcing the gas through the pipe, lighted it just above the surface, observing to his friends "that he had now set the river on fire." ["On the Origins and Progress of Gas-lighting," in "Repertory of Patent Inventions," vol. III, London, 1827]

fire (v.)

c. 1200, furen, "arouse, enflame, excite" (a figurative use); literal sense of "set fire to" is attested from late 14c., from fire (n.). The Old English verb fyrian "to supply with fire" apparently did not survive into Middle English. Related: Fired; firing.

Meaning "expose to the effects of heat or fire" (of bricks, pottery, etc.) is from 1660s. Meaning "to discharge artillery or a firearm" (originally by application of fire) is from 1520s; extended sense of "to throw (as a missile)" is from 1580s. Fire away in the figurative sense of "go ahead" is from 1775.

The sense of "sack, dismiss from employment" is recorded by 1885 (with out; 1887 alone) in American English. This probably is a play on the two meanings of discharge (v.): "to dismiss from a position," and "to fire a gun," influenced by the earlier general sense "throw (someone) out" of some place (1871). To fire out "drive out by or as if by fire" (1520s) is in Shakespeare and Chapman. Fired up "angry" is from 1824 (to fire up "become angry" is from 1798).

discharge, dismiss, fire

这些动词都有"解雇，开除"之意。

discharge： 语气较重，指有理由的解雇，含几乎不再复用的意味。

dismiss： 正式用词，是这组词中语气最轻的一个词，一般只有从上文才能看解雇的原因或理由。

fire： 口语用词，多指被断然地突然解雇，其行动犹如开枪一样干净利落。

kindle, fire, ignite, light

这些动词均含"点燃，着火"之意。

kindle： 指艰难或缓慢地把可燃料点燃，可用于比喻。

fire： 普通用词，指将某物点燃使其燃烧起来，火势可大可小。

ignite： 多用于科技文体，指使某物受热直到燃烧或发光，也可指用火花使易燃物迅速燃烧起来。

light： 普通用词，指点燃易燃物，使其能发光，满足各种需要。

We recently caught up with yoga entrepreneur Leah Zaccaria, who put herself through the fire of change to completely reinvent herself.

出自-2017年6月阅读原文

Some began to stop taking bathroom breaks, worried that if their productivity fell they would be fired.

出自-2016年12月阅读原文

I suspect the reason is a deep-rooted love of the fire.

出自-2014年6月阅读原文

Fire was one of the earliest major technological advances for humankind, providing heat, protection, and cooked food (which is much easier to cat and digest)

出自-2014年6月阅读原文

Human control of fire goes back far enough (over a million years) that evolution could have produced a genetic leaning towards fire as a central aspect of human life.

出自-2014年6月阅读原文

And a room with books in it induces, at least in some, a feeling not dissimilar to that of a fire in the fireplace on a cold winter's night.

出自-2014年6月阅读原文

In March its chief executive was fired by Time's current Man of the Year, Mr Obama.

出自-2013年6月阅读原文

In March, General Motors' chief executive was fired by Mr Obama for poor management

出自-2013年6月阅读原文

Two employees the Chris hired were stealing, and he had to fire them.

出自-2011年12月听力原文

One of the greatest heartbreaks for fire fighters occurs when they fail to rescue a child from a burning building because the child, frightened by smoke and noise, hides under a bed or in a closet and is later found dead.

出自-2010年12月听力原文

Saddest of all is when children catch a glimpse of the masked fire fighter but hide because they think they have seen a monster

出自-2010年12月听力原文

To prevent such tragedies, fire fighter Eric Velez gives talks to children in his community, explaining that they should never hide during a fire.

出自-2010年12月听力原文

He displays fire fighters' equipment, including the oxygen mask, which he encourages his listeners to play with and put on.

出自-2010年12月听力原文

Velez and other fire fighters throughout North America, who give similar presentations, will never know how many lives they save through their talks

出自-2010年12月听力原文

Why do some children trapped in a burning building hide from masked fire fighters?

出自-2010年12月听力原文

What does the passage tell us about fire fighter Eric Velez

出自-2010年12月听力原文

He often teaches children what to do during a fire.

出自-2010年12月听力原文

He rescued a student from a big fire

出自-2010年12月听力原文

He travels all over America to help put out fires.

出自-2010年12月听力原文

And I can see myself sitting on a small chair by the fire doing needlework.

2017年12月四级真题（第二套）听力 Section C

Crews had the fire under control in about 45 minutes and managed to contain the fire to its point of origin.

2018年12月四级真题（第一套）听力 Section A

fire investigators have responded to the scene but have not yet determined the cause of the fire.

2018年12月四级真题（第一套）听力 Section A

firefighters responded to a fire Wednesday night at an abandoned mall in Haywood.

2018年12月四级真题（第一套）听力 Section A

firefighters will remain on the scene until later this morning to ensure that the fire doesn't start up again.

2018年12月四级真题（第一套）听力 Section A

It was the site of a 2006 fire and has remained vacant ever since.

2018年12月四级真题（第二套）听力 Section A

six fire engines, two trucks and two chiefs responded to the scene.

2018年12月四级真题（第一套）听力 Section A

The fire department of New York says the vacant 100-year-old building being pulled down partially collapsed.

2018年12月四级真题（第二套）听力 Section A

There were some people inside the building when the fire broke out but there were no reports of any injuries.

2018年12月四级真题（第一套）听力 Section A

After the high-pressure Countdown round at this year's national MathCounts competition, in which the top 12 students went head to head solving complex problems in rapid fire, the finalists for the Math Video Challenge took the stage to show their videos.

出自-2017年6月阅读原文

Brazil opened a research station in 1984, but it was largely destroyed by a fire that killed two members of the navy in 2012, the same year that a diesel-laden Brazilian barge sank near the base.

出自-2016年12月阅读原文

Born in fire and fury, Devils Tower was then shaped by the slow, gentle work of wind and water.

出自-2016年12月听力原文

It is also easier for a dissatisfied company to give its account to another agency than it would be to fire their own advertising staff.

出自-2015年12月听力原文

The action should beconsistent with the firm's guidelines and may include reassigning the employees to new jobs, suspending them temporarily, or firing them.

出自-2013年12月阅读原文

The picture worsens with each round of El Nino, the unusually warm currents in the Pacific Ocean that drive up temperatures and invariably presage (预示) droughts and fires in the rain forest.

出自-2013年6月阅读原文

Runaway fires pour even more carbon into the air, which increases temperatures, starting the whole vicious cycle all over again

出自-2013年6月阅读原文

Each burning season in the Amazon, fires deliberately set by frontier settlers and developers hurl up almost half a billion metric tons of carbon a year, placing Brazil among the top five contributors to greenhouse gases in the world.

出自-2013年6月阅读原文

His logic: companies that embrace automation might use fewer workers, but that's still better than firing everyone and moving the work overseas.

出自-2012年12月阅读原文

She may have to be fired for poor performance.

出自-2013年12月听力原文

Two employees the Chris hired were stealing, and he had to fire them.

出自-2011年12月听力原文

The workers on strike were all fired.

出自-2010年6月听力原文

After the high-pressure Countdown round at this year's national Math Counts competition, in which the top 12 students went head to head solving complex problems in rapid fire, the finalists for the Math video Challenge took the stage to show their videos.

2017年6月六级真题（第三套）阅读 Section B

As part of the upgrading of its rail yard, Kasselman, who is an inventor and self-proclaimed "steam visionary", is campaigning for a new steam train that runs without any fire and could run on an existing ten- kilometer line, driving tourists and perhaps

2018年12月六级真题（第二套）听力 Section C

But less than a month before hand, inspectors found significant problems with the fire safety system and push the opening back again to 2013.

2019年12月六级真题（第二套）听力 Section C

Probing the rock pools of a local beach or practising French on a language exchange can fire children's passions, boost their skills and open their eyes to life's possibilities.

2019年12月六级真题（第三套）阅读 Section C

This would generate steam that could be used to fill tanks on a small steam train without the use of fire.

2018年12月六级真题（第二套）听力 Section C

At space camp, trainees can earn their space exploration badge as they build and fire model rockets, learn about space tasks and try simulated (模拟) flying to space with the crew from all over the world.

2018年高考英语北京卷 阅读理解 阅读B 原文

Authentic fire gear is provided for your warmth as you get into the holiday spirit.

2017年高考英语全国卷3 阅读理解 阅读A 原文

Authentic fire gear (服装) is provided for your warmth as our entertainers take you to some of the most thrilling parts of San Francisco.

2017年高考英语全国卷3 阅读理解 阅读A 原文

During a fire drill, please do the following.

2018年高考英语天津卷 阅读理解 阅读A 原文

False fire alarms are illegal and may lead to imprisonment.

2018年高考英语天津卷 阅读理解 阅读A 原文

Fire extinguishers are located on each floor and in each apartment.

2018年高考英语天津卷 阅读理解 阅读A 原文

I don't want any fires in this room.

2017年高考英语全国卷2 听力 原文

In a fire drill, the students should shut the door and leave at once.

2018年高考英语天津卷 阅读理解 阅读A 题设

Irresponsible use of a fire extinguisher can create a dangerous situation for other residents and could result in damage to personal property.

2018年高考英语天津卷 阅读理解 阅读A 原文

Larry pulled over, set the brake and got hold the fire extinguishe?

2016年高考英语全国卷1 完形填空 原文

Larry told her that he had already put out the fire and she should not move in case she injured her neck.

2016年高考英语全国卷1 完形填空 原文

Misuse of a fire extinguisher will result in fines.

2018年高考英语天津卷 阅读理解 阅读A 原文

Most are also equipped with automatic fire alarm systems consisting of heat detectors, smoke detectors and sprinklers.

2018年高考英语天津卷 阅读理解 阅读A 原文

Once fire and emergency people arrive, Larry and the other man backed off and let them go to work.

2016年高考英语全国卷1 完形填空 原文

Start the smoke detector in a fire.

2018年高考英语天津卷 阅读理解 阅读A 选项

The floors of all campus buildings are equipped with manual fire alarm systems which include fire alarm pull stations and pipes.

2018年高考英语天津卷 阅读理解 阅读A 原文

The river was so polluted that it actually caught fire and burned.

2014年高考英语全国卷1 语法填空 原文

The University of Adelaide employs a full-time staff of fire prevention professionals.

2018年高考英语天津卷 阅读理解 阅读A 原文

Then nine days later, a fire burned the approached to the ground.

2017年高考英语浙江卷（6月） 完形填空 原文

They also provide educational programs or fire safety in the residence hall.

2018年高考英语天津卷 阅读理解 阅读A 原文

They inspect all campus buildings and test and maintain all sprinkler(喷水灭火装置) systems fire alarms.

2018年高考英语天津卷 阅读理解 阅读A 原文

To check and maintain fire prevention equipment.

2018年高考英语天津卷 阅读理解 阅读A 选项

To earn a space exploration badge, a trainee needs to build and fire model rockets.

2018年高考英语北京卷 阅读理解 阅读B 题设

To warm himself, the sailor sat in front of the fire rubbing one bare foot against the other.

2015年高考英语陕西卷 单项填空 原文

Two good bursts from the extinguisher and the fire was put out.

2016年高考英语全国卷1 完形填空 原文

Use a fire extinguisher only if you have been trained to do so.

2018年高考英语天津卷 阅读理解 阅读A 原文

We sleep in a tent, cooked over an open fire, and walked a long distance to take the shower and use the bathroom.

2017年高考英语全国卷1 阅读理解 七选五 原文

When the war was near, Alia was worried that the fires of war would destroy the books, which are more precious to her than mountain of gold.

2017年高考英语浙江卷（6月） 完形填空 原文

Whenever you move to a new area, you should locate the fire alarm pull stations and the two exits nearest your room.

2018年高考英语天津卷 阅读理解 阅读A 原文

Almost all of the interior detail is of cast iron or plaster; the use of wood was minimized to insure fire safety.

出自-2018年考研阅读原文

A series of fires ( ' , including those set by the British in 1814) and overcrowded conditions led to the construction of the existing Treasury Building.

出自-2018年考研阅读原文

"We've disconnected ourselves from living with fire," Balch says.

2017年考研真题（英语二）阅读理解 Section Ⅱ

It is really important to understand and try and tease out what is the human connection with fire today.

2017年考研真题（英语二）阅读理解 Section Ⅱ

Scientists tell us this can back fire and actually have a negative impact on our well being.

2016年考研真题（英语二）阅读理解 Section Ⅱ

Such a view would require a corresponding shift in the way US society today views fire, researchers says.

2017年考研真题（英语二）阅读理解 Section Ⅱ

That's only a small share of the total acreage that could benefit, about half a million acres in all, so it will be vital to prioritize areas at greatest risk of fire or drought.

2019年考研真题（英语二）阅读理解 Section Ⅱ

Though often viewed as a problem for western states, the growing frequency of wildfires is a national concern because of impact on federal tax dollars, says Professor Max Moritz, a specialist in fire ecology and management.

2017年考研真题（英语二）阅读理解 Section Ⅱ

The captain radioed that the ship was on fire.

船长发无线电说船着火了。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

He was on fire with this marvelous sight.

看到这一令人叹为观止的景象，他激动万分。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

Schulte warned government and industrial leaders that those who even venture to think about mass layoffs are playing with fire.

舒尔特警告政府和业界领袖说，哪怕只是动动大规模裁员念头的人都是在玩火。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

They set fire to vehicles outside that building...

他们纵火焚烧了停在那幢大楼外的车辆。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

Lightning set several buildings on fire.

闪电燃着了几栋大楼。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

Put on a helmet, fire up your engine and head out on the open road.

戴上头盔，发动引擎，开上乡村干道。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

The president knows his task is to fire up the delegates.

总统知道自己的任务就是唤起代表的热情。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

Seven people were wounded when soldiers fired rubber bullets to disperse crowds...

士兵发射橡皮子弹驱散人群时有7个人受了伤。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

New guns firing high explosive shells were incorporated into the battlefield...

发射高爆弹的新型大炮在战场上得到了使用。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

Rocco does not have the same fire in his belly as his father.

罗科不像他父亲那样充满激情。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

The only way they can deal with crime is to fight fire with fire.

他们打击犯罪的唯一方法就是以牙还牙。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

The play only really catches fire once Aschenbach falls in love.

这部剧直到阿申巴赫堕入情网后才真正开始精彩起来。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

The aircraft caught fire soon after take-off.

飞机起飞后不久就着火了。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

My home catches fire and everything is destroyed...

我家失了火，所有的东西都烧毁了。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

His punishing schedule seemed to dim his fire at times.

繁忙的日程似乎有时让他精力不济。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

After the pot is dipped in this mixture, it is fired...

陶罐在这一混合料中浸过之后就拿去烧制。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

I have watched the potters mold, fire and paint their bowls, plates and vases with sacred designs.

我见过制陶工人捏塑、烧制碗碟花瓶，并在上面涂绘各种宗教图案。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

The engine fired and we moved off.

点着引擎后我们就开走了。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

The engines were fired with coal and needed water to keep the steam up.

这些发动机烧煤，并且需要加水以不断产生蒸汽。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

...the potential to fire the imagination of an entire generation...

能够激发整整一代人想象力的潜能

柯林斯高阶英语词典

It was Allen who fired this rivalry with real passion...

是艾伦为这场较量注入了激情。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

I went to hear him speak and was very impressed. He seemed so full of fire...

我去听了他的讲话，结果留下了非常深刻的印象。他看上去充满了激情。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

They saw a big flash and a huge ball of fire reaching hundreds of feet into the sky...

他们看见一道强光和一个巨大的火球冲向数百英尺的高空。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

Many students were trapped by smoke and fire on an upper floor.

许多学生被浓烟和大火困在了较高的一层上。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

87 people died in a fire at the Happy Land Social Club...

87 人在乐土社交俱乐部的火灾中丧生。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

A forest fire is sweeping across portions of north Maine this evening...

今晚一场森林大火正席卷缅因州北部的部分地区。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

There was a fire in the grate...

壁炉内燃着火。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

After the killing, he calmly lit a fire to destroy evidence.

杀人后，他镇定地点起火销毁罪证。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

The gas fire was still alight...

燃气取暖器还在烧着。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

She switched on one bar of the electric fire.

她打开了一片电暖器。

柯林斯高阶英语词典